Ornamental illuminating device



Sept. 4, 1945.

C. W. OTIS ORNAMEN'IAL ILLUMINATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 28, 1942 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 4/24 w. 07/5 Sept. 4, 1945. 1 c; w, 0115 72,383,941

ORNAMENTAL ILLUMINATINGIDEVIGE Filed Jan, 28, 1942 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2JINVENTOR. CARL W 0775 Pfatented Sept. 4, 1945 m'rso STATES PATENTOFFICE ORNAMENTAL ILLUMINATIN G DEVICE Carl W. Otis, Rockvllle Centre,N. Y.

Application January 28, 1942, Serial No. 428,468

Claims.

thin sheet of liquid in communication with the 1 liquid column. In thismanner, I am able to quickly and readily generate bubbles in conjunctionwith a source of heat supply of low calorific output, 1. e. low comparedto the rate of calorific output that would be required to boil theliquid column if no such means were employed. This object of myinvention is accomplished in general by providing a substance in theform of a coherent mass having a plurality of fissures runningtherethrough, the mass being adhered to the wall of the housingcontaining the liquid in the region where heat is applied. Since theliquid permeating the mass through the fissures is thus dispersed invery thin sheets, it tendsto be maintained at substantially thetemperature of the mass. When the source of heat is energized, thetemperature of the mass is raised and the stratified liquid, which inbubbling devices of this nature has a comparatively low boiling point,is almost immediately vaporized so as to quickly begin the generation ofsmall bubbles. These bubbles are driven through the fissures andreleased from a surface of the mass remote from the surface thereof towhich heat is applied.

A heat transferring means of this nature may be put to many uses inbubbling devices of the character described. Thus, if a sufilcientamountof the substance is employed, enough small bubbles will begenerated to produce a pleasing ornamental efiect, and no otherinstrumentalities need be employed, nor need the substance be of anyspecial shape. Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to providein a. bubbling device A further object of my invention is to provide abubbling device of the character described having simple coalescingmeans which comprises relatively few parts and which may be formed fromthe material of the tube housing, the liquid column, or from thematerial of the bubble generating substance itself.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bubbling device of thecharacter described in which bubble generating means of the nature aboveset forth is employed only to initiate the formation of bubbles and inwhich mechanical bubble generating means such as set forth in mycopending application, Serial No. 418,027, filed November 6, 1941, whicheventuated into Patent No. 2,353,063 on July 4, 1944,. or in my PatentNo. 2,174,446, issued September 28, 1939, are employed to form bubblesduring continued operation of the device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bubbling device of thecharacter described having improved means for supporting and housing thesource of heat supply and the tube in which the liquid column iscontained.

A supplementary object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described which is adapted for use in a standard miniatureChristmas tree lamp socket, which shall present a neat and attractiveappearance, which shall be rugged in construction, economical tomanufacture, and

highly eflicient in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplifled in the constructions hereinafter described, and of which thescope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown various possibleembodiments of the invention,

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through an illuminating deviceembodying my invention and showing the electric light bulb lit and theformation of the bubbles as just begun;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the liquid column shown inFig. 1 during operation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the liquid columnemployed in a modified form of my invention, wherein the substanceforming the bubble generating means is present in sufliciently largequantities for running operation of the device;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the column shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a variation in the formof the bubble generating substance which sometimes occurs durincontinued usage;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a liquid columnembodying another modified form of my invention, wherein a glasscylinder coalesces into larger bubbles the small bubbles liberated fromthe bubble generating substance;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a liquid columnembodying still another modified form of my invention, wherein a glasscup coalesces into larger bubbles the small bubbles liberated from thebubble enerating substance;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a liquid columnembodying a further modified form of my invention, wherein glass beadscoalesce into larger bubbles the small bubbles liberated from the bubblegenerating substance;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a liquid columnembodying still another modified form of my invention, wherein thebottom of the housing for the liquid column is specially shaped so as tocoalesce into larger bubbles the small bubbles liberated from the bubblegenerating substance;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a liquid columnembodying still another modified form of my invention wherein saidsubstance is specially shaped to effect coalescence; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an illuminatingdevice embodying still another modified form of my invention.

The bubble generating substance employed in devices embodying myinvention is characterized by certain essential properties. In the firstplace, this substance must be in the form of a coherent mass, or readilyreduceable to such form since if the substance is present in a granularstate it will be dispersed throughout the liquid column during operationof the device and impair the clarity of the liquid. Secondly, thesubstance must not dissolve in the bubbling liquid or be chemicaly orphysically altered so as to destroy its other necessary properties byaction of such liquid, or by the presence of the container for thebubbling liquid, or by action of the heat applied during operation ofthe bubbling device. Thirdly, the substance must be capable of beingreadily fissured and preferably fissured simply by cooling after beingsubjected to a high temperature not above the melting point of thesubstance comprising the housing for the liquid column. The fissures,moreover, must not destroy the coherency of the mass.

Certain other properties are desirable but not necessary to theoperation of the bubbling device. For example,- it is preferable to havethe substance or such nature that it can be readily self-adhered to thematerial comprising 7 the housing for the liquid column. However,alternatively, I may employ ans suitable adhesive means to perform thisfunction. Also, since the istics and which I have therefore founddesirable to use in practicing my invention are sugar, borax, and tablesalt. It will be understood, however, that other substances havingsimilar crystalline structure or the necessary characteristics may beemployed.

The bubble generating substance may be used in a bubbling device of thecharacter described in accordance with any one of the three generalforms of my invention.

In the first form, the substance may be employed merely as a means toinitially generate bubbles, and in such form it is combined with anothermeans for generating bubbles, such as for example that shown in my saidapplication, Serial No. 418,027, and Letters Patent No. 2,174,446. Theuse of such a bubble generating substance greatly facilitates thestarting of the bubbling device shown in said application and LettersPatent, since these devices are ordinarily not quick to start. Where thebubbling substance is used as a starting means, only small amountsthereof need be employed, for it is only necessary to generate a fewminute bubbles-in order to start the operation of the bubble generatingmeans employed to .continuously run the bubbling device. This first formof my invention is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the second form of my invention, I employ a substantial quantity ofthe bubbling substance which ordinarily fills the entire bottom of thecontainer for the liquid column. A large number of rather small bubblesare liberated with such a quantity of the bubble generating substance,and these bubbles will impart a pleasing ornamental effect to the liquidcolumn. The second form is illustrated in Figs. 3 through 5.

The third form of my invention is employed where small bubbles generatedin accordance with the second form of my invention are not desired, andit is desired instead to form bubbles of a larger cubic capacity. Toprovide such bubbles, I employ a coalescing means in combination with alarge quantity of the bubbling substance. Such coalescing means may takevarious forms, several of which are shown in Figs. 6 through 11.

Referring now to the drawings, in Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown anilluminating device 20 constructed in accordance with the first form ofmy invention and especially adapted for use in connection with Christmastree decoration. The device 20 comprises in general a source 22 ofillumination and heat, a column 24 of liquid, 9. housing 26 for theliquid container and for said source of heat and illumination, andbubble generating means 28 contained within the liquid column 24.

In accordance with my invention, I can use in my device a source of heatsupply and illumination which has a low calorific output, althoughduring operation it is maintained at a relatively high temperature. Thecalorific output of the source of heat supply may be much lower thanthat required to generate bubbles within said bubbling device is to beused as an illuminated decoration, and since it is desirable'to have buta single source of light, which also acts as a source of heat, thesubstance and the adhesive means, if employed, is preferably transparentor at least translucent. Furthermore, if it is desired to impart a colorto the liquid, other than by tinting the liquid itself, the substancemay also be colored.

Substances which possess the above characterliquid column 24 if thebubble generating means 28 were not included in the said device 20. Suchsource of heat supply and illumination preferably comprises a lowvoltage bulb B which operates on about 15 volts, so that it may be usedin conjunction with a Christmas tree series lighting outfit of standardconstruction.

The glass envelope 3|! of the bulb B may be made squat, so as to bedisposed within a relatively low housing 26 and thus enhance theaesthetic appearance of the device. The screw plug portion 32 of thebulb B is of standard construction. The housing It comprises upper andlower thin-walled, bell-like halves 34- and 38. The said halves 34 and36 are preferably fabricated from materials such as tinted celluloid ora formaldehyde condensate, in order to provide a suitable colored,semi-opaque wall around the glass envelope 30.

Mating threads 38 and 40 may be moulded in the halves 34 and 36, tofacilitate their assembly into an integral housing. Suitableomamentation may be imprinted upon the outer surface of the said housing26, which may be of any desired shape.

The lower half 35 of the housing is provided with an aperture 42'wherethrough the plug portion 32 of the bulb B projects. The bulb B issecured in said half 36 by two drops 43 of solder adhered to the screwplug 32 and disposed at the upper end of slots 44 which extend from thebottom of a sleeve 45 depending from the housing half 36. The base ofthe bulb engages the half 36 adjacent the aperture 42. The upper cup atis also provided with an aperture 46 co-axia1 with the aperture d2.Snugly received in said aperture 46 is the lower end of a pellucid tube48 in which a bubbling liquid 50 is contained.

In order to more firmly support the said tube 48 and prevent same fromshifting during transportation and use of the device 20, I may providean integral annular flange surrounding the aperture 52. Furthermore, athin layer of adhesive 54 may be disposed between the flange 52 and thetube 48. Small vents 56 and 58 are formed in the upper and lower halvesof the casing to allow a slight circulation of air through the housing.

The tube 48 in which the liquid Ellis disposed is fabricated from apellucid material, such as for example glass, cellulose acetate or thelike which is unafiected by the liquid employed. The tube may be madestraight or fashioned into any desirable ornamental shape. Its upper endis hermetically sealed oil by the gradually tapered, twisted portion 60.The lower end is closed by the rounded portion 62 and is disposedimmediately adjacent or in contact with the glass bulb envelope 30 tofacilitate heat exchange therebetween.

The liquid 50 is of low boiling point, and I may employ fluids such asfor example wood alcohol, ether, or methylene chloride. If it is desiredto enhance the ornamental effect, the liquid 50, tube G8, or both, maybe colored, or a thin film of pellucid coloring matter coated on theinner or outer surfaces of the tube 48. Alternatively, as already noted,the bubbling substance may be tinted or naturally of the desired color.

A 'indicated in Figs. 1. and 2, only a portion of the tube 68 is filledwith liquid, the balance of the tube being evacuated so as to provide apartial vacuum 64, in which vapor, generated in the lower end of thetube as hereinafter described, may condense and return to the body ofthe liquid 48.

Mechanical bubble generating means, such as the transparent cup 66, isprovided to separate the body of liquid 50 into two disparate portions,one above and one below said cup. In this manner, when heat is appliedto the smaller body of liquid below the cup 66, such heat will not bedissipated by convection throughout the overlying larger body of liquid,and I am thus able to raise the lower liquid body to its boiling point,under the conditions present within the tube 48.

Although the bubble forming means 66 has proved highly satisfactory inthe continued or running operation of the bubbling device 20, I haveoften found it necessary to provide some stimulus to initiate thegeneration of bubbles after the underlying mass of liquid has beenraised to a sufiiciently high temperature for vaporization to commence.For example, such stimulus may be provided by tapping the tube 48.

In accordance with the present invention, however, I supply means toautomatically initiate the formation of bubbles upon the mereenergization of the electric light bulb B. This means comprises a smallmass 68 of a bubble generating substance hereinbefore described, whichis disposed in the lower end 62 of the tube 48. The size of the saidmass is considerably smaller than the diameter of the cup 66 and isbelow the portion 10 of the tube which acts as a seat and cooperateswith the cup 66 in maintaining the upper and lower halves of liquidseparate.

.The mass 68 may be introduced into the tube as a loose granularsubstance, such for example as common table sugar, table salt or boraxwith waters of crystallization. The tube is then subjected in the regionwhere the powder is located to a temperature sufliciently high to meltor fuse the powder. In the case of sugar, this temperature is rather lowand must be carefully. controlled to prevent caramelzation of the sugar.

After fusion or melting, the tube and substance,v

which is now a coherent mass, is allowed to cool off. During cooling, itwill be noticed that a great number of fissures or cracks are developedthroughout the body of the mass, which has become self-adhered to thetube 48. However, these fissures are not sufilciently developed to causethe mass to lose its coherency and allow any portion thereof to breakaway from the mass.

When it is desired to start the device 20, the

. bulb B is energized and almost immediately minute bubbles 12 will beejected from the upper surface of the mass. Shortly thereafter, theliquid underlying the cup 66 will reach its vaporizing temperature andsubstantially all of said liquid will be driven into the overlyingliquid body. However, a small amount 14 of the liquid will rema nadjacent the end68, where it will be vaporized during operation of thedevice and cause bubbles to be released between the seat 10 and cup 66.During such continued operation of the device, liquid will continuallyflow down from the Overlying body of liquid to replenish the smallreservoir 14 of liquid at the bottom of the tube 48. This reservoir issufliciently large under ordinary 7 circumstances to have a considerableportion thereof in contact with the walls of the tube 48, and will thusbe acted upon directly by the source of heat supply B. Thus, duringcontinued operation of the bubbling devicefthe mass 68 is not the primesource of bubbles.

In Figs. 3 through 5, I have shown only the tube of a bubbling deviceconstructed in accordance with the second form of my invention. Thistube and the liquid 82- therein contained may be used with any suitablehousing and source of heat and light. In this form of my invention Iemploy a large mass 84 of a bubble generating substance, which masssubstantially fills the lower portion 86 of the tube. Said mass may beinserted into the tube in the form of a powder, as in the first form ofmy invention, and subsequently fused or melted in the manner hereinabovedescribed.

In the operation of this form of the invention, great numbers of verysmall bubbles will be released from the upper surface of the bubblingsurface 84 very shortly after heat is applied in the region of thebottom 86 of the tube 80. The bottom 86 of the tube has a peculiarexternal appearance when such large amounts of bubbling substance 84 areincorporated in the tube 80. This portion 86 of the tube will seemtohave a large number of intersecting cracks88, which are, however, onlythe fissures formed throughout the mass 84.

Sometimes, during operation of a bubbling device incorporating a largemass 84 of a bubbling substance, the mass will become softened and willbe partially displaced upwardly to leave cavities 90 adjacent the bottomof the tube 80. However, it will be found that the mass 84 will stilladhere to the tube and that a portion of the mass will still contact thetube at or near the bottom and this contacting portion of the mass willhave fissures 82 therein which communicate directly or indirectly wlththe upper surface of the mass, thereby disposing thin sheets of thebubbling liquid adjacent the source of heat supply, where such liquidmay be quickly vaporized to initiate the generation of bubbles.

During operation of any of the tubes shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5,replenishing liquid will flow down from the body of liquid overlying themass 84 and into the fissures 92 throughout the mass.

The third form of my invention, which in general provides coalescingmeans to merge smaller bubbles liberated by the bubble generatingsubstance into larger bubbles, is shown in Figs. 6 through 11.

In Fig. 6, a large mass I of a bubble generating substance prepared inthe same manner as described in comiection with Fig. 3 is dsposeclinside a tube I02, in which there is also contained a quantity of abubbling liquid I04. overly ng the mass I00 is a cylinder I06 of atransparent or translucent material, such as for example glass, whoseouter diameter is slightly smaller, (on the order of about twomillimeters) than the inner diameter of the tube I02.

In the operation of this device, the minute bubbles I08 released fromthe upper surface of the mass I00 will move radially outwardly and thenupwardly between the cylinder I06 and tube I02. While they are confinedin this small space, these bubbles will tend to travel towards oneanother.

This action i believed to be due to the capillary nature of the body ofliquid intermediate the said cylinder and the said tube; and in anyevent the minute bubbles I08 coalesce into larger bubbles II 0 as theyascend through the annular space surrounding the said cylinder, and aresubsequently released as relatively large bubbles which travel upwardlythrough the body of liquid I04, The liquidis replenished in thecrevicqmof the mass I00 in a manner similar to that described inconnection with the mass 84 in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 7 the coalescing means comprises a cup II2 similar to the cup 66shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this latter figure, however, the cup does notact as a mechanical bubble generating means, but

only functions to permit the minute bubbles 4' released from the bubblegenerating substance I I6 to gather inside of the said cup I I2 beforebeing released around the lower edges II8 of the cup. If desired, theouter diameter of the said cup II2 may be made of the same dimensions asthe cylinder I06, to insure that only a minimum size of the largebubbles I20 will ascend through the bubbling liquid'I 22.

In Fig. 8, the coalescing means comprises a plurality of glass ball I24disposed above the mass I28 of a bubble forming substance. The minutebubbles I28 released from the mass during operation of the devicecoalesce during passage between the balls I24 into large bubble I30which ascend through the bubbling liquid I32.

In Fig. 9 the coalescing means comprises the tube I34--in which thebubbling liquid I36 is contained. The lower end of said tube I34 isformed with a re-entrant coaxial tube I38 of smaller diameter than thediameter of the tube I34. In the annular space I40 thus provided at thebase of the tube I34, there is disposed at large quantity of a bubblegenerating substance I42. Such substance, however, only fills up thelower part of the annular space. The minute bubbles I44 released fromthe bubbling substance I42 coalesce during passage through the upperpart of the-annular space into the large bubbles I46 desired.

In Fig. 10 the coalescing action is performed by cooperation between thebubbling substance I48 and the walls of the tube I50 in which thebubbling liquid I52 is housed. To this end, the mass I48 is fashioned inthe special shape, as shown. The mas I48 may be so formed prior toinsertion into the tube I50. For example, such a. mass may be formed bycrystallizing rock-sugar in a rodlike formation having a diameterslightly smaller In Fig. 11 I have shown an illuminating device whereina source of illumination and heat I10 is integrally formed with thehousing I12 for the liquid column I14. Said source of illumination andheat I10 comprises a screw plug I16 of standard construction havingsuitable means well known in the art for supporting a filament I18. Anevacuated glass envelope I is secured to the plug I16 in any customarymanner. The upper end of said enevelope I80 is integrally attached tothe housing I 12 for the liquid column so that'said upper end forms thebase of the housing, As will be appreciated from the precedingdescriptions of the various devices embodying difierent forms of myinvention, the base of the housing and the bubble generating mass mayassume diverse shapes. By way of example and without limiting this formof my invention to the following construction, I have illustrated ahousing base I82 and bubble generating mass I84 constructed similar tothe tube and bubble generating mass disclosed in Fig. 9. Said housingbase I82, which also forms the tip of the glass envelope I80, comprisesan inverted glass cup having an outer diameter smaller than the innerdiameter of the tubular housing I12. In the annular spac I86 thusprovided there is disposed a large quantity of the bubble generatingsubstance I84. Such substance, however, only fills the lower part of theannular space I86. The minute bubbles I68 released from the bubblingsubstance I84 coalesce during passage through the upper part of theannular space I86 into the desired large bubbles I90.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as newand desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. An ornamental illuminating device comprising a substantiallysemi-elliptically shaped housing including a pair of semi-opaque halves,said halves having threaded rims for easy connection and disconnection,an electric light bulb having a threaded plug member and a glassenvelope which is disposed in said housing, said plug member projectingthrough an aperture in one of said halves, the other of said halveshaving an aperture coaxially disposed with respect to said firstaperture, said other hall. having a tubular flange surrounding a secondaperture and extending outwardly away from said housing, and a hollowelongated pellucid member snugly received in said second aperture andsaid flange and extending beyond the end of said flange, the bottom ofsaid member being disposed in contact with the glass envelope of saidbulb to directly receive heat therefrom, said member containing a bodyof a vaporizable liquid and bubbling means adjacent the bottom of saidmember in the region where heat is applied by said bulb, whereby saidbubbling member is activated when the bulb is lit.

2. In combination, a body of a vaporizable liq uid, a container for saidbody of liquid, said container being adapted to be disposed adjacent asource of heat, and means in contact with said body of liquid anddisposed in the region where heat is applied for providing thin distinctinterconnected zigzag interstitial passageways extending through saidmeans from said region to said body to form a portion of the liquid insaid region into distinct interconnected sheets.

3. In combination, a body of a vaporizable liquid, a container for saidbody of liquid, said container being adapted to be disposed adjacent asource of heat, and'means in contact with said body of liquid anddisposed in the region where heat is applied for providing thin distinctinterconnected zigzag interstitial passageways extending through saidmeans from said region to said body to form a portion of the liquid insaid region into distinct interconnected sheets, said means beingsecured to said container.

4. In combination, a body of a vaporizable liquid, a container for saidbody of liquid, said container being adapted to be disposed adjacent asource of heat, and a fissured, coherent mass in contact with said bodyof liquid and said container, said mass being disposed in the regionwhere heat is applied.

5. In combination, a body of a vaporizable liquid, a container for saidbody of liquid, said container being adapted to be disposed adjacent asource of heat, and a fissured, coherent mass in contact with said bodyof liquid and said container, said mass being disposed in the regionwhere heat is applied and being unaffected chemically or physically bycontact with said liquid and said container.

6. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a source of heat, thecombination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of a low boiling pointliquid contained within said member, and means in contact with the bodyof liquid and disposed in the region where heat is applied for providingthin distinct interconnected interstitial passageways extending throughsaid means from said region to said body to form a portion of the liquidin said region into distinct interconnected sheets.

'7. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a source of heat,the combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of a low boilingpoint liquid contained within said member, and means in contact with thebody of liquid and disposed in the region where heat is applied forproviding thin distinct interconnected interstitial passagewaysextending through said means from said region to said body to form aportion of the liquid in said region into distinct interconnectedsheets, said means being secured to said member.

8. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, the combination oi a hollow pellucid member, a body ofa. low boiling point liquid contained within said member, and pellucidmeans in contact with the body of liquid and disposed in the regionwhere heat is applied for providing thin distinct interconnectedinterstitial passageways extending through said means from said regionto said body to form a portion of the liquid in said region into thindistinct interconnected sheets, said means being secured to said member.

9. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, the combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of alow boiling point liquid contained within said member, and pellucidmeans in contact with the body of liquid and disposed in the regionwhere heat is applied for providing thin distinct interconnectedinterstitial passageways extending through said means from said regionto said body to form a portion of the liquid in said region into thindistinct interconnected sheets, said means being self-adhered to saidmember.

10. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, the combination of a hollow pellucid member, a lowboiling point liquid contained within said member, pellucid means incontact with the liquid and disposed in the region where heat is appliedfor forming a portion of the liquid in said region into sheets, saidmeans being self-adhered to said member, and means to coalesce bubblesissuing from said sheet forming means into larger bubbles.

11. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, a combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of alow boiling point liquid contained within said member, and a pellucid,fissured, coherent mass in contact with said body of liquid and securedto said member in the region where heat is applied.

12. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, a combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of alow boiling point liquid contained within said member, and a pellucid,fissured, coherent mass in contact with said body of liquid and adheredto said member in the region where heat is applied.

13. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a source of heat, acombination of a hollow pellucid member, a low boiling point liquidcontained within said member, a fisured, coherent mass in contact withsaid liquid and secured to said member in the region where heat isapplied, and means to coalesce bubbles issuing from said mass intolarger bubbles.

14. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a source of heat,the combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of a low boilingpoint liquid contained within said member, means within said member inthe region where heat is applied for forming bubbles during runningoperation of said device, and means to initiate the formation of bubblesby said bubbling means, said second named means comprising a secondbubbling means also within said member in the region where heat isapplied and below, separate and distinct from the first bubbling means,both said bubbling means being so relatively proportioned that saidsecond bubbling means generate bubbles at a slower rate than said firstbubbling means and of such physical characteristics that said secondbubbling means initiates the generation of bubbles more rapidly upon theapplication of heat than said first bubbling means.

15. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, a combination of a hollow peilucid member, a body of alow boiling point liquid contained within said member, mechanical meansfor forming bubbles during running operation of said device, and meansto initiate the formation of bubbles, said last named means comprising apellucid, fissured, coherent, small mass in contact with said body ofliquid and secured to said member under said mechanical bubble formingmeans and in the region where heat is applied.

16. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, a

combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of a low boiling pointliquid contained within said member, mechanical means for formingbubbles during running operation of said device, and means to initiatethe formation of bubbles, said last named means comprising a pellucid,fissured, coherent, small mass in contact with said body of liquid andadhered to said member under said mechanical bubble forming means and inthe region where heat is applied.

17. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, a

combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body 01' a low boiling pointliquid contained within said member, and a pellucid, fissured, coherent,large mass in contact with said body of liquid and secured to saidmember in the region where heat is applied.

18. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a source of heat andlight, a combination 01' a hollow pellucid member, a low boiling pointliquid contained within said member, a pellucid, fissured, coherent,large mass in contact with said liquid and secured to said member in theregion where heat is applied, and means to coalesce bubbles issuing fromsaid mass into larger bubbles, said last named means comprising animperforate member overlying said mass, said imperforate member having alesser sectional area than the inside of said pellucid member locatedimmediately above said mass.

19. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a source of heat andlight, a combination of a hollow pellucid member, a low boiling pointliquid contained within said member, a pellucid, fissured, coherent,large mass in contact with said liquid and secured to said member in theregion where heat is applied, and means to coalesce bubbles issuing fromsaid mass into larger bubbles, said last named means comprising animperforate solid member overlying said mass, said imperforate memberhaving a lesser sectional area than the inside of said pellucid memberlocated immediately above said mass.

20. For use in an ornamental bubbling device having a common source ofheat and light, a combination of a hollow pellucid member, a body of alow boiling point liquid contained within said member, a pellucid,flssured, coherent, large mass in contact with said body of liquid andsecured to said member in the region where heat is applied, and means tocoalesce bubbles issuing from said mass into larger bubbles, said lastnamed means comprising a re-entrant tube in the region where heat isapplied, said tube being integral with said pellucid member, said massbeing disposed between said tube and said member.

CARL W. OTIS.

